The ground looked wobbly. Third double-checked her balance, but she wasn’t rocking in the cage. That meant her vision was off.

She frowned and glanced around without moving her head. Gamma radiation, likely, but where was it coming from?

And how long had she been exposed? For it to be innate to the room rather than specifically targeted at her… Well, she’d likely still be getting exposed after she removed the governor chip. That did not bode well for the prospect of her survival.

Then again, a removed governor chip didn’t bode well for her continued survival, either.

Something like static tingled in Third’s ears. Her breath caught, but she managed to not show any further signs that someone was opening a Jump to their location.

Someone. Second.

Second, who was expecting First’s baby.

Third snapped her wristwire off and quickly shaped the end, then drove it into her arm, searching for the governor chip. She had to find it before she could yank it out—but in the meantime, she tried to mentally yell at Second, It’s a trap! Stay away!

But Third also knew better than to think Second had heard her.